Twelve graduating high school seniors were awarded a $1,500 scholarship for their community service and academic achievements at the Maspeth Kiwanis Club’s annual awards ceremony last week

Thomas Rudzewick, past Kiwanis Club president and current member of the Scholarship Committee, said the club bases the awards on a combination of good grades, participation in the community, and extracurricular activities.

“It recognizes some of their hard work that they put together for their high school years,” Rudzewick said.

Alyssa Gerace, a student at St. Francis Preparatory School, was among the 12 students who received the award.

Gerace has volunteered with St. Stanislaus Kostka's sports association for many years.

“It means a lot because I'm being recognized for my community service,” Gerace said.

With the scholarship, Rudzewick hopes the students can continue their service and academic excellence.

“The Kiwanis Club is all about community,” Rudzewick said. “It gives us a chance to show what we do as a club and promote what the young folks should be doing as they continue.”

He added that the scholarship makes the price of college a little more manageable.

“What I think it brings to them is an opportunity to enjoy some of their first years in college,” Rudzewick said. “It gives them a little more financial relief.”

Along with Hoyos and Gerace, Cindy Cui of Martin Luther High School, Beatriz Martinez-Flores of St. Francis Prep, Emma D. Gurecki of St. Francis Prep, Aislinn Messina of Archbishop Molly, Stephanie Montoya of Catherdral High School, Marta Poplawski of Stuyvesant High School, Stephanie Rogers of Townsend Harris, Sierra Schafer of Christ the King, Anthony Sciarratta of St. Franicis Prep and Amanda Tam of Bronx High School of Science also received a scholarship.